Sensemaker

The world was shocked last week by the news of pop star Liam Payne's death. What does the lurid media coverage that followed tell us about the press’s relationship with celebrities? Writers: Eleanor Biggs and Tomini BabsProducer: Eleanor BiggsHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big tech is hunting away for new sources of power to supply the boom in generative artificial intelligence. Recently, both Google and Microsoft revealed plans to purchase electricity from nuclear power plants. But what impact could this have on the planet? Writer: Barney MacintyreProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two Just Stop Oil protestors were arrested after throwing a can of Heinz tomato soup over Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. What do their lengthy prison sentences tell us about the changing laws around protest in the UK? Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon remain in a standoff, with the safety of UN peacekeepers on the line. What could happen next? Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assisted dying could become law in England and Wales for terminally ill adults. But opponents fear it could lead to a “slippery slope”. What is being proposed, and what has happened in other countries that have adopted similar laws?Writer: Elaine McCalligProducer: Katie GunningHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Atlantic migration route from West Africa to Spain is even more dangerous than crossing the Mediterranean, so why is it growing busier as migration by sea elsewhere in Europe has declined?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Japer Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Bomer, Director of Natural History at On The Edge and a kakapo conservation expert, dives into the fascinating world of this unique flightless parrot from New Zealand. He discusses the kakapo's quirky breeding behavior, including the males’ booming calls that resonate through the forests. The conversation covers the dramatic decline of their population due to human impact and invasive species, as well as innovative conservation strategies like relocating kakapos to predator-free islands and the humorous trials faced in enhancing their breeding success.

A Brazilian cattle rancher who destroyed large areas of the Amazon has been ordered to pay $50 million to restore the land he logged. As deforestation rates soar in countries around the world, can we ever reverse them?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburneHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producers: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of violence and racism during the riots this summer, one of Britain’s leading public intellectuals reflects on how racism - and his experience of it - has changed over the last 50 years. To read Anand Menon’s article in full, click hereWriter: Ada BarumeProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Tomini BabsPhotograph by Malcolm Clarke/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether Trump wins or loses the US election, he has an heir: his 40-year-old running mate JD Vance. So where does Vance want to take America?To listen to Beyond Trump: JD Vance and the New Right click here.Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Claudia WilliamsPhotography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.